Hoisting apparatus



May 29, 1928.

A. E. NORRIS HOI STING APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet l lwzeuiar:

May 29, 1928. 1,671,681 A. E. NORRIS HOISTING APPARATUS Filed April 18. 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 EHIIH #lllllllllllllllllll 12221671920 z".- flZwowifNay r ws,

May 29, 1928.

t-mmuur A. E. NORRIS HOISTING APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 May 29, 1928. 1,671,681

A. E. NORRIS HOI STING APPARATUS Filed April 18, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 29, 1928.

UNITED STATES 1 1,671,681 PATENT OFFICE.

ALMON i1 mounts, ernxooxnmn, MASSACHUSETTS.

i Heisman ArPARAT s.

A l cation med" Aprn 1a, 1925. Serial No. 24,094.

This invention relates to hoistingapparatus, being more particularly concerned with the provision of improved means for controlling the movements of load-carrying devices such asclam-shell buckets or the like, although as to certain of its features it is applicable to other uses;

In the following description there is disclosed one embodiment of the invention as applied to the control or a self propelled trolley carriage equipped with a grab or bucket, but my invention as to many of its features is applicable also to hoisting apparatus equipped with other forms of loadcarrying devices andto systems employing other than self-propelled carriages.

. The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereot, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims) l in the draWings,-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a self-propell'ed bucket-sustaining, trolley carriage embodying one form'of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail in elevation showing the brake for the trolleycarriage,

Fig. 3 is a view, partlydiagrammatic in form, showing the controlling stand levers in elevation with certain ofthe hoisting and traversing elements in plan. "and indicating diagrami'natically certain of the intermediate electrical and pressurefluid connections; 35 Fig. at is an elevation in section taken through the controlling leverstand fbrf the hoisting motors showing the relation of the valves and switches to the controlling levers;

Fig. 5 is a detailin side elevation showing the brake drum and brake for. the opening and closing motor; 1

Fig. 6 is a sectional'elevation, similar to F ig. 4, showing the controlling stand for the r trolley control lever;

Fig. 7 is a detailshowing thetrolley brake trackway, a portion of the rails of which are indicated at 1d, the structure herein illustrated being the active hoisting and convey ing mechanism for an ordinary coal-conveymg bridge. The truck wheels are driven by means of two electric traversing motors through electric current supplied to the carriage through any suitable source and by any well known devices (not herein shown), the motors being simultaneously controlled by means of a single control lever-17 (Figs. 3 and 6) located at the operators stand in the cab 19, the latter dependingfromthe trolley carriage.

"To provide brakingmeans for the trolley each motor shaft is equipped with the brake drum 21 and associated brake, the latter shownin detailin Fig. 2. This comprises the brake shoes 23 and 25' each pivoted at the lower end to the framework of the trolley and normally drawn together to clasp against the drum and apply the brake by means of the spring27; The latter is interposed between the shoe 23 and a Washer fixed upon one end of the rod 29, the op- -positeien'd of the rod beingpiv'oted at 26 to the shoe 25. In the normal condition of the brake the spring draws the shoes toward each other-"to apply the brake and hold the trolley in fixed position on] the trackway. To release the brake the shoes are separated by the application offluid pressure, thisbe'ing appliedbyn'leans of the cylinder 31 containing the piston 33,the latter connected to the leverarm 35pivoted at 26 to the shoe 25. \Vhen fluid pressure is admitted to the brake cylinder 31, thepiston raised to move the lever arnrand the latter, through the link connection 37 to the shoe 23, spreads the shoes apart against the compression of the spring 27. Pressure fluid is admitted to and exhausted from the cylinder 31 by a device associated with the trolley control lever 17, which device will be subsequently described.

Refer'ring now to the grab or bucket 41 and the controlling device therefor, the former may be of any ordinary construction and provided with the usual jaws, the latter adapted to be opened and closed by the operating or opening and closing rope as (see Fig. 3), while the bucket as a whole may be held fixed or lowered by means of a holding or hoisting rope 45.

The arrangement of the rope winding drums and drivingmotors is indicated more in detail in the plan of Fig. 3. For the sake of balancing the bucket each winding drum has two rope receiving portions and a double rope or cable is employed both for the opening and closing and the holding ropes, one portion being wound on each end portion of each winding drum. Such feature, however, is immaterial so far as the broad features of the present invention are concerned, and a single opening and closing rope and a single holding rope may be employed without distinction.

, The opening and closing rope 43 leads upward from the bucket and over a rope winding drum 47 (see Fig. 3) which is journaled loosely on the shaft 49 but has secured thereto the driving gear 51 driven from the pinion 53 on the countershaft 55, which latter in turn is driven through the gear 57 and pinion 59 from an electric motor 61.

The drum for the holding rope is subdivided into two drum portions 63 and 65 both keyed to the shaft 49, the drum portion 65 carrying the gear 67 which meshes with the pinion 69 on the countershaft 71. The countershaft 71 is driven through the gear 73 and pinion 75 from the electric motor 77 which is similar to the motor 61.

It therefore follows that both rope winding drums,-the opening and closin drum and the holding drum,are geared directly to separate motors and are so arranged that while they may be operated together in unison to raise or lower the bucket by similar movements of their ropes, they may also,

be operated independently of each other to produce an unlike or relative movement of the two ro es for the purpose of opening or closing the bucket aws.

Means are herein provided to hold each rope Winding drum against unwinding movement at such times as may be necessary, these means being herein embodied in the form of a brake band 79 applied to the drum on the shaft of the opening and closing motor 61 and a similar brake band 80 applied to the drum on the shaft of the ho ding or hoisting motor 77. Although brakes of widely different construction may be employed, for purposes of illustration I have herein shown these brakes as of the general construction shown in my prior Patent No. 1,123,786, granted January 5, 1915.

In such a construction the brake automatically prevents the unwinding movement of the drum under the pull of the load except when released by the operator, while permitting at all times the winding-on movement of the drum.

In Figs. 3 and 5 I have indicated diagrammatically the devices for controlling the hoisting drum brakes, these control devices being similar in construction in the two brakes.

As herein shown in Figs. 3 and 5. the brake band 79 is connected to a brake lever 81 and a link 82 of the general construction disclosed in the aforesaid patent, so that when the drum tends to unwind the cable by turning in a clockwise direction (F g. 5) the link, which is normally ositioned by the spring 83, is drawn up y reason of the friction of the band. This enforced movement of the link automatically closes and applies the brake. The rotation of the drum in the opposite direction draws the link toward a center line passing from the axis of the drum to a point of pivotal support of the link, thereby automatically opening or unclasping the band and leaving the drum free for winding on the cable. The brake may be positively released for unwinding movement of the drum or rotation in a clockwise direction (Fig. 5) by a releasing movement of the lever 81. To accomplish this the lever is connected to be lifted by a link 84 and an arm 85 connected to the rock shaft 86. The shaft 86 is connected by the rocker arm 87 to the rod 89 of a iston 91 contained within the cylinder 93, t e latter having a supply pipe 95 leading thereto for conducting pressure fluid to the cylinder from a source of pressure fluid supply. The cylinder 93 is normally exhausted so that the brake is applied by the spring 97 acting on the piston rod, this serving to prevent the unwindin movement of the drum but permitting t e windin -on movement thereof. The pressure fluid 'eing under the control of the o erator, the iston may be moved and the rake releas more or less to permit the lowering of the grab.

The devices for controlling the holding drum brake are similar to those employed for the opening and closing drum brake, the former being provided with its pressure fluid actuated piston 99 working within the cylinder 101 to which pressure fluid is conducted through the pipe 103.

Inconnection with the described form of brake there may be employed, if desired, the usual type 'ofdouble acting brake, such, for example, as is moved in one direction either to a position of application on release by a spring and in the opposite direction by a pressure fluid or other motive power.

Referring now to the control levers for the trolley and hoisting motors, the general arrangement is indicated in Fig. 3 where there are shown two controlling stands 105 and 107 which are preferably arranged in such a position in the cab of the trolley that the operator is enabled to take a position facing the stands and manipulate simultaneously the levers arranged thereon.

Referring first to the controlling stand 105 and its trolley control lever 17, the latter is connected to a suitable controller 109 (see Fig. 3 which serves to control simultaneously 0th trolley motors 15. In the diagrammatic view in Fig. 3 one motor only is shown, but it will be. understood that the connections are carried in multiple to both motors oi the pair. 7

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the control lever 17' is secured to a sleeve 111 jonrnaled on the controlling stand and has keyed to its opposite end the beveled gear segment 113 meshing with the bevel gear 115 on the controller shaft 117.

In order to. control the trolley brakes simultaneously with the motors so that the brakes will be applied when the motors are at rest but released when the motors are energized the lower end of the trolley control lever 17 (see Figs. 6 and 7) has, attached theretoa cam segment 119 engaging with the cam roll 121 through which there is controlled the pressure fluid valve for the brake cylinders heretofore mentioned.

For this purpose the cam roll is carried by the guide rod 123 which, owing to the shape of the cam, is depressed when the controller is moved either side of the neutral position to start the trolley motors. The guide rod 123, which is rectangular in cross section, is guided for vertical movement between an upper pair 125 and a lower pair 127 of guide rollers. The latter are mounted upon studs 129 and 131 respectively secured to the controlling stand, the two members of each pair of studs being connected on opposite sides of the guide rod by the cross plates 133 and 135 respectively. The guide rod is normally pressedi up by means of a spring 137 located in a recess or pocket of the guide rod, the lower end of the spring being seated against a spring supporting block 139 located in a transverse slot in the guide rod and having shouldered ends which rest upon the lower cross plates 135.

In the open lower projecting end of the guide rod 123 there is threaded a sleeve member 141 in 'whichthe end of the up right valve actuating rod 143 has a sliding connection, the lower end thereof entering the trolley brake valve casing. 145 and tend ing to press against the upper end of the valve 147 therein under the action of a spring 149 which is interposed between the shoulder 151 and the cap piece 141.

The valve 147 and its casing is of the general construction disclosed in my prior United States Patent No. 1,088,293, granted February 24, 1914, being such that under control of the cam 119 and the guide rod 123, pressure fluid of any required amount may be admitted to the trolley brake actuating cylinders to relax the brakefshoes to any desired extent. 7

Referring to Fig. 6, the brake controlling valve 147 is shown in the form of a twospool piston valve, the casing 145- being provided with an exhaust port 153 connected to the exhaust pipe 155 and an admission port 157 connected by the pipe 159 to any suitable source of pressure fluid supply. The casing is also provided with a port 161 connected to pipe 163 (see Fig. 3) leading to the pressure fluid brake actuating cylinders (one of which only is shown in Fig. 3}. The port 161 leading to the brake cylinder is also connected through a run-around passage (indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 6) with the chamber 165 to which the lower end of the valve 147 is exposed, there being also provided a spring 167 within the chamber 165 tending to raise the valve 147.

lVhen the lever 17 is in its neutral position, the depression in. the Cam 119 permits the spring 137 to raise the guide rod so that it assumes/the position indicated in Fig. 6, maintaining the brake cylinder supply pipe 163 open to the exhaust and leaving the trolley brake set. When the trolley control lever 17 is moved in either direction from neutral to traverse the trolley, the guide rod is simultaneously depressed, increasing the tension on the spring 149, this serving to de press the valve and open the brake supply pipe tov the pressure fluid supply through the ports 157 and 161. This serves to release the brakes simultaneously with the starting of the trolley motors.

Since the lower end of the valve is exposed topressure fluid proportionate to the pressure admitted to the port 161, the valve tends to move back as soon as the fluid pressure: thereagainst, plus the pressure of the spring 167, exceeds the pressure of the spring 149.

Referring now to the control for the rope winding drums, the controlling stand 107 therefor (Figs. 3, 4 and 8) is provided with a control lever 187, similar in construction to the trolleycontrol lever 17. The lever 187 is mounted on a sleeve 189 journaled on the controlling stand 107 and having clamped thereto the cam segment 191 and the gear sector 193. a pinion 195 (Fig. 8) which is fast on the shaft of the motor controller 197. The latter serves to control jointly the operation of the opening and closing and hoisting motors, the circuits being shown in simplified diagram in Fig. 3 to avoid unnecessary complication.

As therein shown the controller is connected to theopening and closing motor 61 through the conductors 199 and 201, so that the opening and closing motor is at all times under the control of the controller and responds to the movement of the contro lever 187. i

The hoistingmotor 77 is similarly controlled through a branch conductor E203 connected withthe conduct-or 201 and a second conductor 1205 connectedwith the conductor 199', the latter, however, passing through the separated terminals or contacts 207 located at the controlling stand. These are normally closed by means of a bridging The latter meshes with til) switch 209 but may be opened at will to cut off power from the hoisting motor through movement of a hand grip lever 211 pivoted on the control lever 187 at 213. The hand grip is connected by links 215 with one arm of a bell crank lever 217, the opposite arm thereof being jointed to the axially arranged slide rod 219 which is normally drawn inwardly (or to the right as seen in Fig. at) by the compression spring 221 encircling the rod and seated within the sleeve 189. The opposite end of the springabuts against a nut 223, and, the bridging plate 209 being secured to the rod, it is normally I; moved to the right or against'the contacts 207, maintaining the hoisting motor circuit closed outside of the controller 197.

When the bucket is to be hoisted the control lever 187 is drawn toward the operator, or in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 8, this serving to turn both drums in unison in a direction to similarly wind on the two ropes at the same rate.

When the bucket is to be lowered, the control lever is moved in the opposite direction which serves to reverse the motors, there being preferabl i provision for lowering the bucket under d namic retardation through suitable connections within the controller, as set forth in my prior Patent No. 1,238,184, granted August 28, 1917. It will be under stood that in actual practice additional elements of control, such as relay magnets, overload switches and other devices Well known in this class of apparatus, may be and preferably are employed, and the controller 197 may be a master controller operating a main controlling device.

lVhere it is desired to open or close the bucket jaws it becomes necessary to prevent the movement of the holding drum while the opening and closing drmn is turned in one direction or the other, and this is accomplished by merely squeezing the hand grip and opening the hoist motorcircuit at the bridging switch 209. \Vhen the bucket jaws are to be closed. the hoisting lever 187 is thrown to the hoist position (right hand position in Fig. 8), winding in the opening and closing rope, while at the same time the holding motor is cut out by squeezing the hand grip, the holding drum being simultaneously held by its brake. WVhen the bucket jaws are to be opened, the control lever is thrown to its reverse position, causing the reversal of the opening and closing motor, the hand grip being again squeezed to cut out the holding motor.

In closing the bucket jaws, when the time arrives to start the holding motor, it is frequently desirable to start the latter at a relatively slow speed and gradually accelerate the same to avoid a sudden pull on the rope and a possible tendency to open the closed jaws and release a part of the load. For

this pur ose I have provided, cooperatively arrange with relation to the bridging switch 209 and the contacts 207, a pair of cooperating contacts 225 contained in the circuit 227 connected in shunt about the con tacts 207, the circuit 227 passing through the controller and including any needed starting resistance, indicated diagrammatically at 229. The contacts 225 are resiliently mounted on the control stand so that when the hand grip 211 is released they are pressed by the bridging switch 209 in close contacting relation to the contacts 207. \Vhen the hand grip is partial] squeezed the bridging switch is so move that the contacts 225 spring away from the contacts 207 while still contacting with the bridging switch. \Vhen the hand grip is fully squeezed the bridging switch is so moved that it leaves the contacts 225 breaking the circuit 205.

When the bucket jaws are being closed with the hand grip lever fully squeezed, to start up the holding motor the operator, be fore fully releasing the hand grip and completing the motor circuit through the contacts 207, may partially release the hand grip causing the bridgin switch to bridge the contacts 225 only. ft is thus possiblefor a short preliminary interval to complete the circuit throu h the starting resistance 229 and thereby ring the motor up to speed grasllually without danger of spilling the loa The unwinding movement of the opening and closing rope may be accelerated, if desired, b means of a positive ower actuated reversai of the motor throug a branch reverse circuit, similar to that described in connection with my aforesaid Patent No. 1,238,184. Such branch circuit is diagrammatically indicated at 231 in Fig. 3 leading from the controller throu h the contacts 233, which latter are normal y open but may be closed by the bridging switch 235 when the hand grip lever is squeezed. When the controller lever is thrown either to the hoist or the neutral position, the branch circuit 231 is open at the controller and the squeezing of the hand grip has no effect upon it. If the hand lever, however, is rocked slightly toward the lowering position just far enough to release the opening and closing drum brake, and the hand grip being at the same time fully squeezed, the motor is then positively reversed, speeding up the unwinding movement of the drum and accelerating the opening of the bucket aws.

During the control of the movements of the bucket through the control lever 187 and the'hand grip lever 211, it is desirable to control the brakes 79 and 80 coordinately with the motor. For this purpose there is provided a control valve which so follows the movement of the control lever during the hoisting of the bucket by the joint action of the two winding drums as to have 'noeffeet on the brakes, whereas, whenthe control lever is thrown to a lowering position, pressure admitted to, both brake actuating cylinders serving to release the brakes.

011 the other hand, when the handgrip lever is squeezed to open or close the-jaws the holding drum brake isset'through the ac-,-

tion of a second brake control valve controlled by the movement ofthe hand grip p lever 211.

cam 191 engages a cam roll 23? carried by a slide rod 239 similar in construction and arrangement to the slide rod 1223, described in connection with the trolley control lever and acting throu h a similar train of mechanism on the bra e control valve 2.41m the valve casing 243 on the controlling stand 107. This valve and its controlme'chanism is similar in all essential respects to the valve 145, and its mechanism-and further detailthe supply pipe 159 to the brakecylinder pipe 95, the-latter servingTto release the brake for the opening and closing drum,

When the control valve is thrown to its hoisting position, the pressure on the valve is relieved and the latter rises to a position where all fluid pressure is exhausted from the pipe 95, after which it settles to aneutral position, such as is shown in Fig. 4.

Connectedwith the ipe 95 there is rovided a branch pipe 24% which supplies u'id pressure to a, valve 249 arrangedcoaxially with the sliderod 219, to be controlled thereby for setting the hoisting drum brake at appropriate times. Inthe normal position of the apparatus, with the hand grip lever released, the valve 249 isjmovedqto itsextrelne openposition (tothe rightas viewed in Fig. 4) by the pressure thereagainst of the actuating rod 251 which isseeitned to the end of the slide rod 219. Inthlisposition the fluid pressure entering through the pipe 247 passes to the brake supply port 253, which latter is conneetedto a pipe 255 supplying pressure fluid through the pipe 193 to the brakeactuating c linder 99 for the hoist ingbrake 80, there einginterposed,"however, between the pipe 255 and the pip e103 a supplemental control valve, the purpose of which is hereafter' exlllained.v

In the normal operation ofthe apparatii theretore, witlrths handgripleverrelease the To actuate the first mentioned valve, the" the brake so is controlled jointly with the brake/(9 through the valve 241, The two brakes release, therefore, 'when the hoistlev er immatures lowering'position, but when the lever is thrown to a hoisting position they are left in such condition as to allow the drums to wind on their'vrespective roipes but prevent unwinding movement thereo Whenever the'hand is s ueezecl, however, to out -o oist motor the axial rod is moved to the left (as viewed in Fig. 4), withdrawing the actuating rod 251 from the valve 249 and allowing the latter to be moved under the influence of the spring 257 to cutoff the supply port 253: from the supply pipe 95 and open itto thee xhaust pipe 259, the

l oldiln drum brake SObeingthereby auto:

matica ly andv simultaneously set with the opening of the hoist motor circuit 205. I

1grip lever 211 is power from so far as described the operation of the apparatus 1 is as follows; p, Assumin the bucket has been dropped on a pile 0 coal or other'matenial to be hoisted and the bucket jaws have been, closed, the bucket may be elevated by drawing the control lever 187 toward the operator, with the hand grip released. This starts both motors to Wind in bothiropes, the brakesbeing left in position to prevent unwinding movement of the drums hut permitting winding-on movementthereof,theshape of the cam 191 being such thatithis movementzpf the control lever hasino effect in depressing the valve 241.

'lhehOlding brake valve 249, though nor; mally in position to admit air or other fluid pressure against the spring controlling piston to release the brake, isinefi'ective toac complish this since {the air must come from the closing brake valve 241. 1 e

When the load is lifted the ,niotor is stoppedby throwing the lever back to neuthere "to hold the bucket. The trolley is t-hentraversed ,as required through the con.- trol lever 17.

When the bucket has completed itstraversemovement,it is lowered if necessary by reversing the bucket control level, or in other wordsthrow ing it forwardaway tron] the-operator, which causes bothlto 'pesfto unwind, too rapid a descentbeing prevented bye-the provision of dynamic braking through the controller connection I At the Same t me the cam 191 is effective to depress the brake control valve 241, admittin fluid pressure to the controlling cylinder or the opening and closing drum brakenreleasing the latter and permitting airto passto the holding drurnbrakefval've 249and simulta- QfiSl) rel n t h' IdiI Q' m brak j'lp dis harge the load the backet jaws areopenedb lacing the hoi tniotor con trol leverjlS in its lowering position and simultaneously, compressing the hand gr p tral position, both brakes bein effective 211. Thisdepresses the brake valve 2&1, re-

leasing the opening and closing drum brake, while movement of jthe hand grip lever moves the holding drum brake valve to cut power from the holding motor and stopping the rotationot the latter.

This discharges the bucket load and the bucket maybe returned to its original position by reversing the movement of the trolley. he bucket is again lowered upon the 'material by placingthe hoistin lever in its reverse position, ca'nsing both ropes to run out and lowering the open bucket.

To close the bucket jaws, the controller lever .is again thrown back to start both Ill - motors ahead and at the same time the hand grip211 is compressed. This again prevents release of the holding drum brake, keeping the latter set and fixing the holding rope. At the same time the holding drum motor is cut out of circuit so that the closing rope is drawn in relatively to the holding rope and the bucket jaws areclosed. As soon as the bucket'is closed, itcan there be held by throwing the lever back to normal position and releasing the hand grip, or the bucket may behoistcd by'merely releasing the hand grip first in part to secure a slow starting movement of the hoisting motor and then in full, the lever being then left in its hoist position causing both ropes to wind in simultaneously.

In handling the bucket conditions frequently arise, under which it isdesirableto unwind or slacken the holding rope while the bucket isresting on the coal or other material to be hoisted and particularly during jaw closing movement. In the hoisting of coal, for example, it sometimes happensthat the bucket needs to settle into the coal while the jaws are being closed, or in working on the side of the pile it may be desirable at times to slacken on the holding drum rope while the closing rope is held taut or being wound a ith the apparatus as .so far described, the holding drum brake under those conditions would be automatically applied and theholding drum rope held taut. To enablefthe operator to meet these and other similar conditions requiring atemporary slackening or' unwinding of the holding drum rope, I have provided an auxiliary controlling valve'261 for the holding drum brake cylinder. which valve under normal conditions maintains an open passage beopen.

cross piece 265 extending between the control stands 105'and 107, the valve being normally depressed by the spring 267. hits depressed position the valve connects the port 269'communicating" with the pipe 255 with an intermediate port 271 communicating with the brake pipe 103. Through suitable control devices, however, the valve may be raised to connect the brake cylinder pipe 103 with an upper port 273, the latter communicating with a source of pressure supply independent of the valve 249. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, for sake of simplicity, I have shownthe port connected through the pressure supply'pipe 27 5 to the main supply ipe 159, rendering available the full supp pressure at the brake controlling drum. Provision "may be made if desired for supplying pressure fluid direct to the brake controlling drum at a reduced. pressure similar to that'supplied through the valves 241 and 249. Y

To, raisethe valve 261, the latter rests against'the head of the sliding plunger 27 7 connected to the core of the solenoid magnet 279, which latter is contained in a circuit 281 (Fig. 3) connected to a suitable source of current. The circuit 281 is broken at the trolley control stand by the separated con t-acts 283 which are normally open but may be closed by means of the bridging switch 285 mounted on the sliderod 287 (see Fig.

.6) contained within the sleeve 'lll on'which is mounted the trolley control lever 17 The latter is equipped with a pivoted hand grip 291 similar to the hand grip lever 211 on the hoist control lever. and is connected through the links 293' and bell crank lever 295 with the slide rod 287. 7

When the hand grip lever 291 is released the bridging'switch occupies the position shown in F1g. .6 leavin [the magnet circuit 'WheneVer the %land {grip lever is squeezed, however, the circuit 281 is closed, the magnet energized, the auxiliary valve lifted and pressure admitted directly to the holding drum brake cylinder to release the same.'

It therefore follows that with the bucket resting on the coal, as, for example, while the closing rope is bein" wound in to close the bucket aws, with be hand. grip lever 211 squeeze A to cut outthe'holding rope motor; the operator may squeeze. the hand grip 291, thereby release the holding drum brake mam and slacken out on thelioldingrope to any extent required bythe conditions of, operathe described form of apparatusall'the nor mal operations of controlling the trolley and the bucket, and enabling the lattei' to be filled, traversed and emptied, are controlled through the twohands of the operator who is obliged at no time to release his hold upon the two controlling levers 17 and 18'] and thereby greatly simplifying the control, addingto the ease and c'ertaintywith which the I operator may coordinate the necessary bucket to i y movements. i WhileI have used the term roptfi in re: ferrlng to the various Operating ropes of the system,sit isto be understood that this term is used in a generic sense and to include other power and transmission devices, such as Wires, chains or the like. other devices having likeor equivalent functions. y, While Ihave here n shown and described one embodiment of the inventiomitis to be i understood that the same as to many of its features'is. applicable to hoisting apparatus and systems other, than the particular one herein described. It is also to be 'understood that extensive deviations maybe mad'efltrom the details of construction andirom the rela tive arrangement of parts. all without dey p y y trolley control lever, devices to control said drums to turn the same in unison to raiseparting from the spirit of the invention.

I claim 1. In a hoisting apparatus, thecoinbinaf' tion with atrolley, ot a trolley motor,a grab bucket, a holding rope and an opening and,

closing rope, a winding. drum for each ot said. ropes, motor" means for driving said drums, a trolleycontrol lever, means including. a motor. control lever mounted at-the side of thetlolley control lever .for causing the drums to be turned in unison to raise or lower the bucket, means provldlng for turn ing the opening and closing drum alone to open or close the bucket jaws'ithe same in cluding a pivoted hand grip lever mounted on the motor controlflever and movable in dependently thereof and a rod moved thereby passing through the pivotal axis of, said motorcontrol lever, aholding drum brake permitting winding-on movement of the drum but normally preventing unwinding movement, pressure fluid means forreleasing the brake to permit unwindingmovement of the drum. a brake control valve "con: nected to be actuated with the motor control lever and to be moved to a brake-releasing position in the lowering position of thereon trol lever and a brake-applying positionfin the lifting position thereof, means to assure normally the application. of the, holding drum brake when the hand grip lever is moved comprising a secondcontrol. valve actuated by said axial rod, and means for re. leasing theholding drum brake while said 'liandgrip is actuated including acontrol device located on the trolley lever and movable inde endently thereof, a magnetically actuated eviceyand an auxiliary trolling-valve moved thereby.

2.1m a hoisting apparatus, the combinatiori with a grab bucket, of a holding rope andian opening and closing rope, a winding drum for each of said ropes, a trolleyga trolley control lever, a bucket control lever at the side ofthe trolley control lever, a brake for theholding drum, and a control device for said brake mounted onthe trolley control lever. i i i i 3.; In a hoisting apparatus, thQCOIIIblDH- tion with a grab bucketl of a holdingrope and an opening and closing rope, a winding drum" for each of said ropes, a trolley, a trolley controllever, control devices to cause said drums. to turn in unisontoraise or lower the bucket or toturn separately to ortlower the bucket or to turn separately to open or close the jaws. theme a holding drum brake. means automatically to apply the brake whcn the biicketjaws are being opened or closed; auxiliary control means to release the holding drum brake during the jaw closing movement, the same comprising a pressure controllingvalve; a magnet for actuating the same, and acontrol device for the magn t mounted on the trolley control lever. i y

5. In a hoisting apparatus. the combination with a grab 'bucke'hfof aholding rope,

an opening and closing ropeyr'ope Winding drums for each of said ropes, a pressure ac" tnated brake, a controllever, a. brake control valve connected to be moved by said lever. a trolley, a. trolley control lever. and

"a device mounted on said trolley control lever alsoito control said brake.

6. In aYl oisting apparatus the combinw tion with a grab bucket, of a holding rope, an openin and closing ropel rope winding drums for each. of said ropes, a pressure actuated brak-e, a brake control valve, a control lever adapted to move f-"aid valve. a

trolley, a trolley control lever. a grasping device mounted on said trolley control lever; and a second valve adapted to be controlled by said grasping device and. connected also to control said brake. i

7.111 a hoisting apparatus,the combinabrake-contion with a grab bucket, of a holding rope, an openlng and closing rope, rope wmdmg drums for each of said ropes, separate and independently operable driving motors for i the respective drums, means for controlling drum on the initiation of the jaw opening or closing movement, and a control device to release the holding drum during the jaw closing movement. 5 I

8.'In a hoisting apparatus, the combinzr tion with a grab bucket, of a holding rope, an opening and closing rope, rope winding drums for each of said ropes, separate and independently operable driving motors for the respective drums. a brake for the hold-, ing drum, means for controlling said motors to cause the drums to turn in unison to raise or lower the bucket including a power control device for the holding drum motor adapted to cut off power therefrom and nor- =mally simultaneously to assure the application of the brake during jaw closing movement, and a control device to release the brake while the power is cut off from the holding drum motor. a I

9, In a hoisting apparatus, the combina tion with a grab bucket, of a holding rope, an opening and closing rope, rope winding drums for each of said ropes, separate and independently operable driving motors for the respective drums, a brake for each drum, a power control device adapted to control the motors and cause the drums to turn in unison to raise or lower the bucket and to excr-v cise coordinate control over said brakes, a separate power control devicefor the hold ing drum motor adapted to cutoff power therefrom and normally simultaneously to assure the application of the holding drum brake, and a control device to release said holding drum brake.

10. In a hoistin apparatus, the combination with a grab bucket, of a holding rope, an opening and closing rope, rope winding drums for each of said ropes, separate and independently operable driving motors for the respective drums, a pressure fluid actuated brake for each drum, a motor control device to control saiddrums to turn in unison to raise or lower the load, a brake valve moved by said device to exercise coordinate control over said brakes, a second power control device to withhold power from the hold- 7 ing drum motor while continuing to supply the same to the opening and closing drum motor and simultaneously to actuate a-secan opening and closing rope, rope winding drums for each of said ropes, separate driving motors for the respective drums, a pressure fluid actuated brake for eachdrum, a motor control device to control said drums to turn in unison to raise or lower the load,

a brake valve moved by said device to exercise coordinate control over sai'd'brakes, a second power control device to withhold power from the holding drum while continuing to supply the same to the opening and closing drum and simultaneously to actuate a second valve normally to assure the ap lif cation of the holding drum brake, a furt er' control device, and control means to release the holding drum brake at the time power is so withheld comprising a third valve exercising direct control over the holding drum brake, an actuating magnet therefor, and a magnet control device. i

12. In a hoisting a paratus, the combine, tion with a grab bucket, of a holding rope, an opening and closing I rope, rope windin drums for each of sal ropes, separate an independently operable driving motors for the respective drums, aholdin drum brake, a common power controller wit .a controller lever, a lever mounted on the controller lever within the grasp of the operator and mov-' able independently of .the controller lever, said last named lever having connections for controlling the holding drum motor, and a separate control device for controlling the holding drum brake. i 13, In a hoistin a paratus, the combina.- tion with a grab uc ct, of a holding rope, an openingand closing rope, rope win-ding drums for each of said ropes, separate driving motors for the respectlve drums, a hold ing drum brake, a common power controller with a controller lever, a lever mounted on the controller lever within the grasp of the operator and movable independently of the controller lever, said last named lever having connections for controlling the holding drum motor and the holding drum brake during the jaw opening and closing movement, and a separate control device for releasing the holding drum brake.

14. In a hoisting apparatus, the combine tion with a grab bucket, of a holdingrope,

an opening and closing rope. rope winding drums for each of said ropes, separate driving motors for the respective drums, a hold ing drum brake, a common power controller with a controller lever, a lever mounted on the controller lever within'the grasp of the operator and movable independently of the controller lever, said last named lever'havr ing connections for controlling the holding drum motor and the holding drum brake, a trolley, a trolley control lever, and a control device mounted on the trolley control lever for releasing the holding drum'brake.

15. In a hoisting a paratus,the-combination with a grab bucli an opening and closin rope, rope Winding drums for each of sair ropes, separate and independently operable drivingmotors for the respective drums, a common power controller with controller lever, a brake for veach drum, a brakecontrol device connected ating said auxiliary control device.

16. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination with a grab bucket, of a holding rope, an opening and closing rope, rope winding drums for each of said ropes, separate driving motors for the respective drums, acommon power controller with controller lever, a pressure fluid actuated brake for each drum, a brake control valve connected to be moved by said control lever to controlthe brakes coordinately with the raising or lowering of the bucket, a lever mounted on the control lever and movable independently thereof, a circuit controller for the holding drum motor actuated by said last named lever, a brake control valvemounted to be moved also by said lever, an auxiliary control valve for the holdingdrum brake, a trolley, a trolley control lover, a magnet for actuating said auxiliary control valve, and

means mounted on the trolley control lever,

for energizing said magnet,

17. In a hoisting apparatus the combination withja grab bucket, of a holding rope, an opening and closingrope, a rope winding drum for each of said ropes, separate and independently operable motors for the respective drums, a common power controller for jointly controlling said drums to turn in unison to raise or lower the bucket, means for cutting off at will the power supplied to the holding drum motor to open or close the bucket jaws, means acting simultaneously and automatically to hold the holding drum against unwinding movement, and aicontrol device for releasing the holding drum during the jaw closing movement.

18. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination with a grab bucket, of a pair of ropes including a holding rope, and an opening and closing rope, a winding drum for each of said ropes, separate and independently operable driving motors for said respective drums; a brake for the holding drum, a controller for jointly controlling said motors, a band mates] lever for moving the ass:

st, of a holding rope,

. to turn relatively to t troller, an auxiliary control device for controlling the power supplied to the hoisting drumvmotor, .a brake control device, a grasping device on the control lever movable independently thereof for controlling. said auxiliary control device and said brake control device, and a supplemental control device for releasing the holding drum brake.

19. A hoisting apparatus having a grab bucket, a holding rope, an o ening and closing rope,a winding drum or each of said ropes, a brake for each drum, separate driv ing motors for the respective drums, a com mon controller for jointl two motors, ahand contro lever for actuating the same, a cam actuated brake control device moved by said lever to cause release of the brakes during the lowering of the it bucket, a switch to cut oil the power supply to the holding drum motor through the concontrolling the c 20. In a hoisting apparatus, the combina- 7 tion with a grab bucket, of a holding rope,

an opening and closing rope, a winding drum for each of said ropes, a trolley, a 'tr0lley contr0l lever, means including a bucket control lever to cause thedrums to turn in unison to raise or lower the bucket, or to cause the opening and closin drum 1e holding (rum to open or close the bucketjaws, a holding drum brake actuated through said control device normally to automatically hold the holding drum during the closing of the bucket jaws, a grasping device on the trolley lever, and means to control the release of the holding drum brake through said grasping device.

21. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination with a grab bucket, of a holding rope, an opening and closing rope, a winding gras in lever to control the trolle means P n y including a second grasping lever to cause the drums to turn in unison to raise or lower the bucket or to cause theopening and closing drum to turn relatively to the holding drum to open or close the bucket jaws, avholding drum brake actuated normally to automatically hold the holding drum during the closing of the bucket jaws,

drum for each of said ropes, a trolley, a

and means mounted on one of said grasping levers to control the release of the Balding drum brake, 1 a z 22. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination with a grab bucket, of a holding rope,

an opening and closing rope, winding drums for each of said ropes, separate and independently operable driving motors for the respective drums, a brake for the holding drum, a power controlled device adapted to cause said drums to turn' in unison to raise or lower the bucket. a separate power control device for the holding drum motor adapted to cut off power therefrom and normally simultaneously to assure application of the holding drum brake. and a supplemental control device adapted to release said holding drum brake when actuated by the conscious effort of the operator during the time when power is cut off from the holding drum motor. 7

23. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination with a grab bucket, of a holding rope and an opening and closing rope, a rope winding drum for each of said ropes, motive means 1 01 turning the drums in unison to raise or lower the bucket, a motor controller, a control lever for said motive means, a holding drum brake automatically controlled coordinately with the winding or unwinding movement of the holding drum. a control device mounted on the control lever and movable independently thereof to cut oil drum-turning power from the holding drum and permit the opening and closing drum to separately turn to open or close the bucket aws, means acting automatically in the normal operation of the apparatus'to apply the holding drum brake during the closing of the bucket jaws, and auxiliary control means requiring the conscious effort of the operator to release the holding drum brake during the jaw-closing movement iri respective of said automatically acting means whereby the holding rope may be paid out during the jaw closing movement at the will of the operator.

24. ha hoisting apparatus, the combination with a grab bucket, of a holding rope and an opening and closing rope, a winding drum for each of said ropes, motive means for turning the drums in unison to raise or lower the load, a controller, a controller lever for said motive means, a control device to cut off the drum-turning power from the holding drum and permit the opening and closing drum to separately turn to open or close the bucket jaws. a holding drum brake, means associated with the control device acting in the normal operation of the apparatus automatically toapply the holding drum brake simultaneously with the actuation of said control device, and auxiliary control means requiring the conscious eflort of the operator to release the holding drum during the time said opening and closing drum is separately turned irrespective of said automatically acting means.

25. In a hoisting apparatus, the combination with a grab bucket. of a holdingrope and an opening and closing rope, a winding drum for each of said ropes, actuating means to cause said drums to turn either in unison to raise or lower the load or separately to open or close the bucket jaws, means acting automatically in the normal operation of the apparatus to hold the holding drum when the opening and closing drum is actuated to be separately turned, and auxiliar control means requiring the conscious'e ort of the operator to release the holding drum during the time saidopeningand closing drum is so actuated irrespective of said automatically acting means.

' In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ALMON E. NORRIS. 

